Sign up for Trail Updates
By providing your email, you consent to receive Skagit Trail Builders bi-weekly newsletter, delivered to your email. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Your message has been sent
- Trail Update: Work Party plan for December 13, 2025Saturday, December 13, 2025 Volunteer Work Party Plan Today’s goal! Build the connection between Winfield Trail and South Knoll Trail. We’ll be crossing the lawn up to the rock wall/BrickyardContinue reading “Trail Update: Work Party plan for December 13, 2025”
- Building Trails for Community HealthNorthern State Hospital opened in 1909 as an asylum for the mentally ill, growing to become the largest institution of its kind in Washington State. At its peak in theContinue reading “Building Trails for Community Health”
- Trail Update: Our Work Party Plan for Nov 8, 20258:45 am Sign-in at the trailhead: Please note the new parking area for volunteers is located on the gravel road behind Trevennen Hall. Directions can be found here. 9:00 am:Continue reading “Trail Update: Our Work Party Plan for Nov 8, 2025”
- Trail Update: A wildly windy work party!Wild Weather and Great Progress on the Winfield Trail! Our October 25 work party started out with a bit of chaos then turned into a wild, windy adventure! An earlyContinue reading “Trail Update: A wildly windy work party!”
- Trail Update: Our work party plan for Oct 25, 20258:45 am: Sign-in at the trailhead Please note the new parking area for volunteers is located on the gravel road behind Trevennen Hall. Directions can be found here. 9:00 am:Continue reading “Trail Update: Our work party plan for Oct 25, 2025”
- Trail Update: Rainy days make for muddy work!It’s October, and the rain has arrived! “If we hadn’t packed rock into the clay soil, we would have just been sliding all over the place!” Executive Director Jim “JT”Continue reading “Trail Update: Rainy days make for muddy work!”
- Trail Update: Our Work Party Plan for October 11, 2025This will be our second volunteer work party on Winfield Trail on (Port of Skagit) SWIFT Center property in Sedro-Woolley, WA. At our first session on September 27, the crewContinue reading “Trail Update: Our Work Party Plan for October 11, 2025”
- Trail Update: Breaking Ground on Winfield Trail!What a great start! On Saturday, September 27, seventeen amazing volunteers rolled up their sleeves and made impressive progress on the new Winfield Trail. Together, we built a long rockContinue reading “Trail Update: Breaking Ground on Winfield Trail!”
- Trail Update: Growing the Northern State Trail System in 2025-2026Trail Project Update – Phase 1 We’re excited to share the first steps in creating new trails at the SWIFT campus! Thanks to the dedicated work of the Port ofContinue reading “Trail Update: Growing the Northern State Trail System in 2025-2026”
- Wind Phone On North Knoll TrailIn partnership with United General District 304’s grief support program Rooted: Grieving & Growing Together and Skagit Parks and Recreation, Skagit Trail Builders is supporting the installment of a Wind Phone on Hill Creek Trail.
- Community Support at the Song Sparrow Bridge Ribbon CuttingWe are proud to be part of an amazing community that recognizes the health benefits of parks and trails and wholeheartedly supports outdoor recreation! On September 19, we celebrated theContinue reading “Community Support at the Song Sparrow Bridge Ribbon Cutting”
- Trail Update: Stewarding Our Trails on September 13You may have heard that that September 13 was our last volunteer work party on property managed by Skagit County Parks and Recreation. We were joined by 41 community volunteersContinue reading “Trail Update: Stewarding Our Trails on September 13”
- Trail Update: September Events!🌼 September 13 Our final work party at Northern State Recreation Area! We will be focused on trail stewardship activities like managing vegetation and decommissioning unsanctioned trails. 🎉 September 19Continue reading “Trail Update: September Events!”
- In the News: Olmsted Park construction in full swingVINCE RICHARDSON . Skagit Valley Herald Aug 20, 2025 SEDRO-WOOLLEY — Olmsted Park continues to take shape as what was once an empty field is being transformed into a highly-anticipated recreationContinue reading “In the News: Olmsted Park construction in full swing”
- Song Sparrow Bridge Ribbon Cutting September 19, 2025Press Release from the City of Sedro-Woolley: Ribbon Cutting for Song Sparrow Bridge September 19, 2025 The public is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Song Sparrow Bridge,Continue reading “Song Sparrow Bridge Ribbon Cutting September 19, 2025”
- 2025: Putting the Final Touches on Hill Creek Trail, Pumphouse Trail, and Elk TrailWhile we completed work at Song Sparrow Bridge in the spring of 2025, we also put the final touches on the Northern State Trail System. With excellent weather and record-settingContinue reading “2025: Putting the Final Touches on Hill Creek Trail, Pumphouse Trail, and Elk Trail”
- 2024-2025: Song Sparrow Bridge and the Connector TrailThe site for Song Sparrow Bridge was identified for a trail crossing during the planning phase in 2018. We were thrilled when permitting was granted in 2024! Note: At thatContinue reading “2024-2025: Song Sparrow Bridge and the Connector Trail”
- 2023-2025: Developing North Knoll Trail and the West Meadow LoopNorth Knoll Trail is a 3/4 mile section that extends from the Song Sparrow Connector, past the North Knoll, to the wild flower meadow. It follows Hansen Creek’s east bankContinue reading “2023-2025: Developing North Knoll Trail and the West Meadow Loop”
- 2022-2023: Building the Elevated Segment of the Pumphouse TrailWhen the Pumphouse Bridge was complete, we celebrated! Now we could cross the creek with power carriers and materials to build the first section of the Pumphouse Trail. When weContinue reading “2022-2023: Building the Elevated Segment of the Pumphouse Trail”
- 2021-2022: Building the Pumphouse BridgeWork on the Pumphouse Bridge began in the fall of 2021. When the overwater work was put on pause during the salmon run from November to March, our volunteer crewContinue reading “2021-2022: Building the Pumphouse Bridge”
- 2021: Ivy Control at the Historic Guard Shack and Thompson PondComing back from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns in 2021 was a challenge. Contracts and permits were delayed, leaving our remaining work at Northern State Recreation Area uncertain. Hill Creek TrailContinue reading “2021: Ivy Control at the Historic Guard Shack and Thompson Pond”
- 2019: Building Brickyard Creek TrailWhen we started working on the Northern State Trail System in 2019, we were thrilled to accept the help of the 6 to 8 volunteers who showed up regularly. AsContinue reading “2019: Building Brickyard Creek Trail”
- 2019: Breaking Ground on Hill Creek TrailDuring the winter of 2018-2019, we broke ground on Hill Creek Trail at Northern State Recreation Area. 🤓 (Side note! At the time, it was being called the “Pumphouse Trail”Continue reading “2019: Breaking Ground on Hill Creek Trail”
- 2019: Building Dovetail BridgeSkagit Trail Builders started working on the Northern State Trail System in 2019. After spending a few work parties breaking ground on the Pump House Trail (now renamed Hill CreekContinue reading “2019: Building Dovetail Bridge”
- Trail Update: Build Year Report 2024-2025Our 2024-2025 Build Year was our best year yet. We hosted 18 work parties engaging with 205 volunteers who donated over 4,000 hours of their time. 18% of our volunteerContinue reading “Trail Update: Build Year Report 2024-2025”
- Join us at Northern State Hospital for Public History Day July 26 2025Join us on Saturday, July 26 for Public History Day at Northern State Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Pre-register for a free tour of the Colman Ward. Learn from speakers andContinue reading “Join us at Northern State Hospital for Public History Day July 26 2025”
- Trail Update: Proposed Trails on Port of Skagit PropertyOur work at Northern State Recreation Area is nearly complete. We are excited about our upcoming plans on Port of Skagit property! This summer our leadership team will wrap upContinue reading “Trail Update: Proposed Trails on Port of Skagit Property”
- Trail Update: Record-Setting Attendance at our Final Work Party of the SeasonWe concluded our build season with record-setting attendance! Fifty-six volunteers brought their enthusiasm, energy, and positive vibes to the final workday of the 2024-2025 build season, June 28, helping usContinue reading “Trail Update: Record-Setting Attendance at our Final Work Party of the Season”
- New Power Carrier! Thanks to the Skagit Community Foundation and United General District 304We are thrilled to have been awarded a generous grant by the Skagit Community Foundation that enabled us to purchase a new Canycom power carrier! This funding represents far moreContinue reading “New Power Carrier! Thanks to the Skagit Community Foundation and United General District 304”
- Trail Update: Work Party Plan for Saturday, June 28Only one volunteer work party (June 28) left before we break for summer. ☀️ Over the summer our leadership team will finish up the wind phone, a few small projectsContinue reading “Trail Update: Work Party Plan for Saturday, June 28”
- Video: Beautiful rock work and fern plantings at the Pump House BridgeWhat is the difference between a path that gets you from point A to point B and a trail that brings you joy and fills your soul? Beauty! On Saturday,Continue reading “Video: Beautiful rock work and fern plantings at the Pump House Bridge”
- Trail Update: Work Party Plan for June 14, 2025Scope of Work: June 2025 We are nearing the finish line on our project on park property! Only two work parties left before we break for summer. InContinue reading “Trail Update: Work Party Plan for June 14, 2025”
- Video: Documentary by Sedro-Woolley High School StudentsA few months ago our trail crew was joined by Sedro-Woolley High School Video Instructor, Jason Dilley, and student Avi, for a day of filming volunteer interviews. They recently sharedContinue reading “Video: Documentary by Sedro-Woolley High School Students”
- In the News: A New Trail by Jack HarttA New Trail Jack Hartt May. 29 2025 Originally published by Hiking Close to Home and Anacortes Now We venture a little east of our islands for this week’s hike…Continue reading “In the News: A New Trail by Jack Hartt”
- Trailhead BBQ: June 28, RSVP by June 25We are celebrating the successful completion of our 2024-2025 build year AND the amazing community of volunteers who made it possible with a trailhead BBQ! Join us Saturday, June 28Continue reading “Trailhead BBQ: June 28, RSVP by June 25”
- Trail Update: New Map and New Trail NamesGreat news for trail users! With our work on the Hill Creek / Pump House trail system nearly complete, the county has done a final survey and produced a newContinue reading “Trail Update: New Map and New Trail Names”
- Trail Update: Thanks to the Mountaineers Go Hike team for a great day of trail work!Volunteers from the Mountaineers Go Hike Course joined us for an great day of trail stewardship on May 24 and helped us accomplish sooooooo much! We are VERY confident weContinue reading “Trail Update: Thanks to the Mountaineers Go Hike team for a great day of trail work!”
- Congratulations to our Youth Leaders, Sativa and RJ, for earning a letter in Varsity in Volunteerism!Congratulations to our Youth Leaders, Sativia and RJ, for earning a letter in Varsity in Volunteerism! Students who complete 100 hours of service are awarded a varsity letter in volunteerismContinue reading “Congratulations to our Youth Leaders, Sativa and RJ, for earning a letter in Varsity in Volunteerism!”
- 2025-2026 Youth Leader positionsUpdate July 24, 2025 We have an awesome student joining us in September 2025 as one of our new Youth Leaders. We have a second opening to fill for someoneContinue reading “2025-2026 Youth Leader positions”
- Trail Update: Work Party Plan for May 24, 2025With only 3 work parties left, we are nearing the finish line on our project on park property. Last session we completed the work around Song Sparrow Bridge (it looksContinue reading “Trail Update: Work Party Plan for May 24, 2025”
- Trail Update: Our Work at the Elk Trail Head is Complete!We had another great day at Northern State Recreation Area finishing our project at Song Sparrow Bridge and the Elk Trail Head!
- Trail Update: Work Party Plan for May 10, 2025Skagit Trail Builders Volunteer Work Party Plan for May 10 2025
- McIntyre Scholarship Awarded to Skagit Trail Builders Youth LeadersCongratulations to our Youth Leaders on being awarded the Sidney S. McIntyre Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Applications for Skagit Trail Builders 2025-2026 Youth Leader Internships coming soon…..Sign Up to Receive Notification. Youth Leaders
- Skagit Trail Builders 2025-2026 Youth Leader Applications Coming Soon!Summer is quickly approaching and our application for Youth Leaders is coming soon. Sign up to receive notification when the application is open.
- Trail Update and Video: Volunteers at Work on April 26, 2025Saturday April 26, 2025 was one of our most fun and productive work parties EVER! Watch the video.
- Trail Update: Work Party Plan for April 26, 2025Schedule 8:45 am: Sign-in at parking lot, then we’ll walk to the Elk Trail Head together, about 1/2 mile or 15-minute walk. 9 am: Meet at Elk Trail Head forContinue reading “Trail Update: Work Party Plan for April 26, 2025”
- Trail Update: Excellent work and excellent fun at our April 12 work party!Who puts the party in work party? We do! Folks, we had such a good time on April 12. As usual, we had an amazing crew. We also scored great weather! Mix in a well-organized plan and all together, we conquered our session goals
- Trail Update: Work Party Plan for April 12, 2025Skagit Trail Buiders work party plan for April 12, 2025
- Trail Update: Volunteers Making Connections on March 22On Saturday, March 22 we were joined by 49 volunteers! Thanks to Julie and the gang from HKP Architects, along with Christy, students and parents from Kids ‘n K9s 4H Club, and ALL our volunteers for showing up in the rain and putting in the work. We made new friends and got a lot done!
- Showing up for Trails: Hiker Rally Day 2025Our mentors at Washington Trails Association sure know how to throw a lobbying event! This was the first time for Jenny and JT to speak with legislators at the WashingtonContinue reading “Showing up for Trails: Hiker Rally Day 2025”
Skagit Trail Builders is a program of United General District 304.
The trails at Northern State Recreation Area are the result of our partnership with Skagit County Parks and Recreation, the Port of Skagit, the City of Sedro-Woolley, and our incredible community of volunteers!





































You must be logged in to post a comment.